AT&T, MediaFLO to Launch Mobile TV Service

Hoping to keep pace in the mobile video race, AT&T Inc. on Monday announced plans to provide mobile TV services using MediaFLO USA Inc.’s nationwide network to the telco’s wireless subscribers equipped with specially designed phones toward the end of this year.

The news comes less than two months after Verizon Wireless Inc. detailed plans for a mobile video service, which also will use the MediaFLO network, featuring content from TV and movie houses including CBS Corp. MediaFLO is a subsidiary of Qualcomm Inc.

MediaFLO USA aggregates popular content and optimizes it for the mobile environment. MediaFLO provides TV-quality, full-length programming and short-form video clips.

AT&T said the deal compliments its efforts to deliver video from its flagship U-verse, video-driven service bundle to three screens – the TV, PC and the handheld device. While the MediaFLO deal gives it a viable wireless TV offering, it’s unclear if and how AT&T sees it fitting into its U-verse strategy.

The telco has been hard at work leveraging the Cingular wireless assets consolidated when it merged with BellSouth Corp., having already launched a voice calling plan that spans phone numbers on wireline and wireless services it now offers.

AT&T said it will have access to advanced features MediaFLO USA expects to launch in the second half of the year. They will include MediaFLO USA's multicast video clip distribution service, a datacasting application for real-time information and entertainment and audio services.

"MediaFLO USA's service will add another dimension to our robust offering by delivering a TV-quality mobile media experience that perfectly complements our existing voice and multimedia services," said Marc Lefar, chief marketing officer for AT&T's wireless unit. "We look forward to bringing our subscribers a compelling, differentiated service and innovative device.”

AT&T did not say what companies it will work with to create the specially designed handsets, nor did it detail pricing for the planed service.

AT&T Inc. www.att.com  

MediaFLO USA Inc. www.qualcomm.com/mediaflo

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